Sunday Best: America’s uncomfortable truth

One year after the Capitol riot, the country is still reeling.

View in browser|nytimes.com January 9, 2022 On Jan. 6, 2021, America reckoned with an uncomfortable truth: Its institutions, long heralded as the pinnacle of global democracy, were fragile, susceptible to threats that many still find implausible. The passing of time hasn't changed that. Much of the country is still reeling, still grappling. This week, Times Opinion published a collection of articles that move beyond the events of Jan. 6 and examine the environment that made them possible — as well as the potential implications in the years to come. For as Jon Grinspan and Peter Manseau point out, while those involved may be judged harshly today, history "may have other plans." — Jennifer Brown Ege Soyuer Guest Essay How Men Burn Out The intense public discussion of burnout during the pandemic has given too little attention to how men experience this problem. By Jonathan Malesic María Medem Guest Essay What Does Marriage Ask Us to Give Up? More and more Americans are single, living lives of hard-won independence. By Kaitlyn Greenidge Katherine Lam Zeynep Tufekci The C.D.C. Is Hoping You'll Figure Covid Out on Your Own The government's haphazard and disorganized response to Omicron doesn't bode well. By Zeynep Tufekci Gracey Zhang Guest Essay Diet Culture Is Unhealthy. It's Also Immoral. Resolve, this year, to just say no. By Kate Manne Jo Zixuan Guest Essay When Faced With Death, People Often Change Their Minds Do advance directives by healthy people actually deliver better care? By Daniela J. Lamas Subscribe Today New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that helps readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Sunday Best from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018